‘Inspiration’: Irwin’s touching post to dad

Robert Irwin has shared a touching post to his “biggest inspiration”.

The 20-year-old son of iconic wildlife legend Steve Irwin shared a picture of his dad to Instagram on Monday night – a day after Father’s Day in the US.

He captioned the post: “Thanks for always being my biggest inspiration through life, love you Dad.”

Robert was just two years old when his father died.

He has previously admitted to thinking about his dad every day, telling media losing a “commanding presence of positivity and everything that is good in the world” at such a young age makes you question everything.

Mum Terri responded to the post saying “he loved you so very much”.

The post comes amid a legal saga the star has found himself embroiled in.

Over the weekend, Robert threatened legal action against One Nation leader Pauline Hanson over her Please Explain cartoon.

He claims he is mocked in the episode, which depicts himself and cartoon icon Bluey promoting a new tourism campaign for Queensland.

Robert says it is defamatory and has requested it be removed.

However, many fans don’t agree and have called for the I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! host to “get over it”.

“No Aussie humour anymore. Have a cup of concrete Irwin. Bloody hilarious,” one person wrote.

“Mate, get over the cartoon. If South Park can chuck on whoever they want and take the p*ss … you of all people should be able to take a joke at the expense of the government,” another wrote.

Senator Hanson shared her response – a letter from Gillis Delaney Lawyers, who are acting on her behalf – online on Monday to Mr Irwin’s threat.

She said she would not be removing the latest episode and looked forward to the day “Robert and I can have a good laugh over this”.

Robert responded with a simple post on Monday night of a picture of his dad holding him as a baby.

NewsWire confirmed a cease and desist letter sent by FC Lawyers, acting on behalf of Robert, was sent to StepMates Studios, the production team behind Senator Hanson’s Please Explain cartoon series on June 14.

In the letter, lawyer Zoe Naylor claims the cartoon involves the “unauthorised and deceptive use of our client’s image”.

Ms Naylor demands the cartoon be removed and the studio behind the cartoon immediately stop using Robert’s image without prior approval.

“You are potentially liable to our client in respect of defamation, deceptive use of a person’s image, passing off and misleading and deceptive conduct,” the letter states.

“We will commence legal action against you if you do not take down the video immediately.”

Hanson responds

Senator Hanson claims the cartoon is “political commentary” and the points made are “criticisms of the current state government”.

She said due to the cartoon’s satirical nature, it didn’t defame Robert.

“Your client’s claims of passing off and defamation are so plainly inconsistent as to be nonsensical,” Senator Hanson’s legal letter states.

“It is difficult to comprehend how a viewer could understand that the video represents an affiliation with your client if he is also being defamed in the same publication.

“One would imagine a publisher would not seek to undermine the reputation of a person with whom they represent an affiliation.”

The episode

The episode itself mocks Queensland’s issues with housing, youth crime and health care as the satirically depicted Robert attempts to show Bluey the best of the state.

The pair are depicted mistaking a long queue for an unlikeable rental property as a line for Movie World.

At another point in the episode, the pair have their car stolen by juvenile delinquents who later return to bash Bluey.

The episode ends with Robert saying “I can’t believe this is the state of Queensland”.

Senator Hanson’s letter outlines that the video “does not amount to ‘unlawful use of your client’s image’ (whatever that may mean).”

“Your client cannot commence proceedings as threatened,” the response letter states.

“Further, any such claims would attract defences, including public interest, freedom of political communication (particularly having regard to the upcoming Queensland state election) and honest opinion.

“Having regard to the somewhat novel and speculative nature of the claims, it is disappointing that you repeatedly claim in your letter that the publication of the video amounts to ‘unlawful conduct’.

“This allegation should be withdrawn by you.”